Snowlight, Its a 3.5litre. thanks for 1st recipe. Am going to try over weekend.

Livtoots, Just answer me one thing, do you have a 6.5 or a 3.5 litre slow cooker? Cos amounts in them vary. The casserole recipes I can down size for you if you have the smaller size.

Snowlight.

Hi, Livtoots, ready?
Lentil soup - I don't go by the one in the recipe book.
Use orange lentils or split yellow peas. I pour over boiling water and let them soak overnight. Rinse and put in slow cooker.Then I add an onion that has been chopped and slightly cooked (in the microwave, makes life easier). Add a few chopped or sliced carrots to the slow cooker, add garlic if you like, if you have any stock, say from the joint of bacon I mentioned before, heat it up in the microwave and add to the slow cooker. If you have no stock make some with any stock cube you have handy. Make sure the lentils etc are covered by the stock. Add any dried herbs you like. Give it a stir. Put cooker on after about 7 hours.,just check to see if the lentils are cooked, if not just leave a little longer until cooked. You can use up any leftover celery or you can add bacon chopped up and put in with the other ingredients if you wish. I can,t give exact amounts because I just add what I have in. If you have a large slow cooker it should work out approx as 1 litre of stock to 150g lentils, I think. I always just make sure that all the ingredients are covered, and do a couple of checks whilst it is cooking to make sure in case it needs any more liquid. If you want a creamy soup, then liquidise with a blender, the hand one is best, after cooling it. You could garnish with some coriander leaves and put a swirl of cream or fromage frais on top when serving. I,ve made this soup and frozen it in portion sizes so when I want some soup I just lift out one container, lid off, and in the microwave. Always use lentils etc by the use by dates because after that they become too dry and will never cook. Thats one recipe down, many more to come.

Enjoy

Hi Snowlight, The chilli con carne, Beef casserole, Chicken and mushroom casserole and Lentil soup would give me a goos start, then I could adapt my own recipes

Hi Livtoots, do you like spaghetti Bolognese, chilli con carne, Beef casserole,Chicken and mushroom casserole, Lentil soup, veg. soup? I've got a cook book somewhere, will have to have a good look for it. What about a bacon joint, this can be cooked in some cider as well as some stock, add a chopped up apple. Make sure liquid is near top of joint. For a 2.5 ltr slow cooker you can cook up to a 1kg joint if its a larger slow cooker you can cook up to a 1.5 kg joint. Cook for approx 5-7 hours (medium)Drain, cool slightly, then remove the skin. Allow to cool, then wrap tightly in kitchen foil. Place in the fridge until well cooled. Put the stock into a jug or container and let it set. You can then skim the fat off and you've got stock for your soups. Bacon joints are good value for money. Get them in the bacon chiller in the supermarket. Let me know if you fancy any of the above and I'll send through the recipes.

Thanks Snowlight, have downloaded a couple of recipes, but wanted some tried and tested ones. I do really appreciate the time you are taking to type up the recipes for me.. Many thanks

Oh, yeah, forgot to mention it but you can buy slowcooker recipe books. If you type slow cooker recipes in your google search it should come up with some sites. Just browse through them, download any recipes you fancy then.

Ok Livtoots, I'll get on to it as soon as I can. Only one thing though It means me typing out the whole recipe on this message board. Its ok I don't mind. I'm a fast typist. I'll do one recipe at a time. Keep watching this space!

Snowlight, The slow cooker was a cheap one! thought I would get a better one if I used it.. I would like to cook stews, curry, lasagne, or soups. recipes would be great!!

Many thanks

Yes. sparkly, it really does work. The lid seals as it gets cooking and it generates its own juices. I found with some of the cheaper slow cookers, of which I have another one, the lid doesn't seal properly and it loses some of the steam generated inside, then it can dry out on the bottom. This one I wouldn't leave to cook overnight. Its ok for doing stews and soups in though because you already have alot of stock. I have a morphy richards, variable heat, its a good un. I couldn't be without mine. I have even 'roast' chicken legs. Yes you can roast in them. I don't add liquid when I cook Pork or Lamb. Hope this answers you question.

a whole chicken with no liquid/stock in the slow cooker? does that work or have i misunderstood?!

Hi Livtoots, I got a slow cooker years ago. You can basically cook anything in it that you would do in the oven. You should have got a recipe booklet with it. I put mine on at night, on low, and by morning its cooked. I do full chickens with no stocks added. It comes out really tender, falling off the bones, and looking like you roast it. I do my joints of rolled lamb, pork, now beef, I use brisket (cheap) and add some stock and a few chopped up carrots, any herbs, dried or fresh. Slices of garlic. Anything you like the taste of. What exactly do you want to cook? You can make a full lasagne, but I have not tried that. So long as you cut up veg fairly small or sliced thinly it will cook. I am not keen on potatoes in the slow cooker though. Meat, when cut up cooks quicker than the vegs. Braised steak and onions is nice. Always remember to brown meats first and make sure any liquids you use are boiling before adding them. Post another message about what you would like to cook and I'll try and send you some recipes. What make is it?
Good luck.